Float valve



Sept. 3, 1 i

W. A. REINHARDT ZJKHBJ.

FLOAT VALVE Filed July 15, 1931 /5 is l 65 2 EM, o 3

Patented Sept. 3, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFKJE 2,013,188 FLOAT VALVE William Reinhardt, Astana, Wis.

Application July 13, 1931, Serial No. 550,460

4 Claims. (01. 137-104) This invention relates to float valves and particularly to operating mechanism'thereforj Float valves now in common use in toilet flush tanks ordinarily respond directly to the action of --the float causing a slow approach of the valve to its final closing position as the water level.

This re-I approaches a predetermined height. sults in a gradual throttling of the flow through the valve causing wear and producing objectionable noise.

and auxiliary float associated in such manner that the valve is retained in fully opened position until the ultimate water level has been reached, whereupon the main float is released to thereby effect a sudden closing of the valve.

Such a system is objectionable in that it requires the use of two floats and for the additional reason that it causes hammering in the supply pipes as the result of the sudden change in flow from Other systems designed for this purpose have not been sufilciently positive in their action to insure proper functioning.

An object of the present invention is the provision of an improved float valve operating mechanism which will interrupt the closing action of the valve at a predetermined point, and which will positively lock the valve against further closure until a proper Water level has been obtained, and to thereupon complete the closing action substantially instantaneously.

Another object is the provision of mechanism having the above described characteristics which may be readily adjusted to accommodate the action to 'various operating conditions.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following description of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a float valve and operating mechanism therefor constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the parts in a different position.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of the device shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The float valve selected for illustration includes a valve element It of a well known type commonly employed in toilet flush tanks, vertically movable to control communication between a supply pipe II and a discharge pipe I2. When in the lower position of Fig. 2 the valve element In blockscommunication between pipes I I and I2, and when in elevated position permits flow therebetween. The valve shownalso includes the usual system of actuating levers including a lever I3 rockably supported intermediate its ends upon a pivot pin I4. Thelever I3 is actuated by the usual ball float I5 mounted on a rod It, which is connected to the lever I3 through a resilient connection which will permit movement of the ball relative to the lever I3.

' The resilient connection just mentioned may assume various forms, but in this instance com-' prises a narrow rod,preferably of spring steel, bent upon itself to form two parallel portions I'I. Both portions ll of "the resilient rod are fixed to the end of lever I3 by an appropriate clamp plate I8, and carry a plate I9 having a lug 20 in which the end of the float rod 1! 6 is fixed. The plate I9 is preferably adjustably fixed to the rod portions I! by appropriate means such as a clamp plate 2|.

The plate I9 also carries a bracket 22, preferably extending upwardly therefrom, and provided with a pair of ears 23 between which a latch element is rockably mounted. A hinge pin 25 supports the latch. The latch is provided with a tapered head 26 at the lower end thereof provided with a tooth 2! for coaction with a stationary stop lug 28 to interrupt the upward movement of the resilient rod during the downward closing movement of the valve. The upper end of the latch is preferably guided between a pair of guide members 29 formed on the bracket 22.

The latch 24 is positioned by a stop screw 30 carried by the bracket 22 and provided with a lock nut 3|. A spring 32 acts on the latch 24 in such direction as to yicldably retain the same in definite position against the end of the stop screw.

With the parts in their respective positions illustrated in Fig. 2, the valve element Ill is held in its lowermost position due to the elevated condition of the float andthe consequent action of the spring rod H on the lever system connected with the valve element. The valve is closed whenin this position. When water is withdrawn from the tank the lowering movement of the float is transmitted through the rods I6 and H in the usual manner to effect opening of the valve, and during this action the head 26 of the latch passes and clears the stop lug 28, the latch being permitted to swing against the pressure of the spring 32 to permit such passage.

Then during refilling of the tank the ball float rises, moving the valve element l downwardly toward closing position until this movement is interrupted by the interlocking engagement of the tooth 21 of latch 24 beneath the stop lug 28. When this occurs further movement of the valve element is positively prevented but the float continues to rise under the buoyant action of the water and in so doing deflects the resilient rod l1 upwardly. This deflection of the rod, transmitted to the latch through the stop screw 30, causes the latch to swing in such direction as to withdraw tooth 21 laterally from beneath the lug 28. As the latch is thus released the spring rod I? recoils and instantly acts through the lever l3 to effect instantaneous and complete closing of the valve. Thereafter, the elevated condition of the ball float maintains sumcient tension in the rod l! to retain the valve against its seat. The degree of residual tension thus remaining in the rod I! is determined by proper setting of the stop screw 30, since the setting of that screw determines the degree of deflection of the rod I! required to release the latch, and thereby determines the water level at which the latch will release.

Further regulation of the latch mechanism may be had by adjustment of the bracket 22 lengthwise of the rod IT.

From the foregoing it will be noted that mechanism has been provided by which a float oper ated valve is interrupted at a predetermined point in its closing movement, and whereby its final closure is efiected substantially instantaneously, to thereby eliminate the wear and objectionable noise incidental to a solw closing action, and in such manner as to prevent hydraulic hammering which might otherwise result from an abrupt change from full open to full closed position. It will also be noted that the mechanism described provides an accurate adjustment for predetermining the water level at which final closing of the valve occurs, so as to insure suflicient level to maintain the valve in closed position against various water supply pressures.

Various changes may be made in the embodiment of the present invention hereinabove specifically described without departing from or sacrificing the advantages of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:-

1. In a device of the character described the combination of a valve, a float for operating the same, a resilient flexible connection between said float and valve through which said valve is actuated, latch mechanism for releasably holding said valve against final closing, and means responsive to the flexing of said connection for releasing said mechanism to thereby permit said valve to close.

2. In a device of the character described the combination of a valve, a float for operating the same, a resilient flexible connection between said float and valve through which said valve is actuated, a latch carried by said connection for releasably holding said valve against final closing, and adjustable means responsive to the flexing of said connection for releasing said latch to thereby permit said valve to close.

3. In a device of the character described the combination of a valve, a float for operating the same, a resilient flexible connection between said float and valve through which said valve is actuated, a pivoted latch carried by said connection operable to interrupt the closing action of said valve, an adjustable stop screw, responsive to the flexing of said connection for releasing said latch to thereby permit said valve to close.

4. In a device of the character described the combination of a valve, a float for operating the same, a resilient operating connection between said float and valve, a bracket adjustably mounted on said connection, a latch pivotally mounted on said bracket and operable to interrupt the closing action of said valve, and an adjustable element on said bracket responsive to deflection in said resilient connection for releasing said latch to thereby permit said valve to close.

WILLIAM A. REINHARDT. 

